Chickens stand in their cages at a farm, in Iowa, Nov. 16, 2009. Federal officials have confirmed the first transmission of avian influenza to a person in Oregon.
Charlie Neibergall / AP
Oregon is the latest state to confirm a case of avian influenza in a human, according to a release from the state Health Authority.
It’s the first time that a human transmission of the virus has been confirmed in Oregon by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, there have been 52 cases in people across the country, including 11 in Washington.
Oregon health officials said the individual is connected to a poultry operation in Clackamas County where the Oregon Department of Agriculture previously confirmed the virus in 150,000 birds. Last month, a case of avian influenza was confirmed at a commercial egg farm in Clackamas County, where about 150,000 chickens were euthanized to prevent the spread of the virus.
Officials at the Oregon Health Authority would not confirm if the human case is connected to that egg farm.
The virus is the H5N1 strain of avian influenza that has infected millions of chickens and turkeys in commercial and backyard flocks. It’s also been found in other animals, including dolphins and mountain lions.
In late October, state officials confirmed the first-ever case of avian influenza in pigs at a farm in Crook County, Oregon. USDA officials said the farm was not commercial, and did not pose a risk to the food supply.
While the virus is typically fatal in poultry, it is usually mild for humans. Symptoms include fever, chills, eye redness and respiratory sickness, like cough and sore throat.
In a statement, Clackamas County Public Health Officer Sarah Present said they’ve been “closely monitoring people exposed to the animal outbreak, which is how this case was identified. The individual experienced only mild illness and has fully recovered.”
Health officials say the risk to the public is low, and there is “no evidence of person-to-person transmission.”
Those at highest risk are people who regularly work with sick animals. To reduce the risk, officials say “people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds or animals, or their droppings or litter.” Officials also caution against consuming unpasteurized or raw dairy products.